Wisconsin guard adds to his legend with another amazing display of toughness

Wisconsin guard Brad Davison(34) celebrates after forward Andy Van Vliet made a three-point basket Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

If Wisconsin’s Brad Davison wasn’t already on his way to becoming a folk hero among Badgers fans, the freshman guard surely is now.

He added to his legend during Sunday’s 68-63 loss to Michigan State with a memorable display of toughness and resilience.

For months, Davison has played with a black brace on his left shoulder to keep it from popping out of place. Davison dislocated it yet again with just under 14 minutes left in Sunday’s game, but he calmly popped it back in, checked back into the game in a mere 23 seconds later and buried step-back jumper after step-back jumper over the next few possessions.

Davison finished with 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting, a special performance that kept Wisconsin within striking distance against the Big Ten’s best team. The Badgers actually led the game midway through the second half and remained within striking distance until Michigan State’s Miles Bridges sank a pair of free throws to extend the Spartans’ lead to five with five seconds to go.

Despite playing out of position at point guard and essentially with one arm, Davison has emerged as Wisconsin’s No. 2 scoring option and perimeter complement to standout forward Ethan Happ. Davison has scored in double figures in seven of his past eight games and fueled Wisconsin’s second-half rally to upset Purdue earlier this month.

While Wisconsin’s streak of 19 consecutive NCAA tournament bids will end this season barring a Big Ten tournament title, Davison’s emergence gives the Badgers hope for the future. He and fellow freshman Kobe King should be a perimeter duo capable of leading Wisconsin back to its customary spot among the Big Ten’s upper echelon for years to come.

I mentioned Brad Davison in conversation the other day, and Bo Ryan interrupted me, “He’s a Badger!”